How to tell fake from genuine: http://www.koreanstown.com/2009/11/warning-fake-porta-pro-discovered/

Dealextreme has them for around £6 delivered, but at least they only describe them as "Designer" and don't pretend they're Koss-branded. (even though they have the brand on them): http://www.dealextreme.com/p/designer-s-compact-portapro-stereo-headphones-with-carrying-bag-3-5mm-jack-150cm-cable-39851

From reading around some hifi forums, even play.com got scammed with some (unsure how true it is).

Me, I was seduced into buying a "Red Hot" pair from an ebay seller (£16.99 delivered), and, I got packaging with misspelling and dodgy typesetting. The headphones at first glance look like the genuine item, but the sound is awful compared to my real Portas (warranty replacement direct from Hama!). The connection at the plug is dodgy, the packaging and phones stunk of glue when I opened it, they came without the usual 3.5mm gold-plated plug, the seller used pictures nicked from someone's blog..I could go on.

The ebay seller replied and told me he didn't want to read the koreanstown article, but he could refund if I sent back my authentic PPs and his dodgy ones, so he could compare, then he'd consider it!! That response really amazed me.

Got to hand it to the counterfeiters though, they do look pretty good.

Beware!!

Edited by: "louiselouise" 7th Feb 2011

30th Jan 2011

Consider all headphones on ebay to be fake,

30th Jan 2011

That'll learn me! And all because I wanted a red pair.

On some forums they're saying the PortaPro wire got thinner over the years. Wonder if this is an update, with the thicker fabric cable (very similar to the 25th Anniversary Edition)? http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/7048125/art/koss/portapro-bbc-headphones-b.html

Might treat myself to one. And my mate said, You Bought Headphones From Ebay?! ..as if I was a fool.

Edited by: "louiselouise" 31st Jan 2011

3rd Feb 2011

I think I've bought some Portapros from the same seller... I bought the blue ones, but got exactly the same response as you. I currently have a case open on eBay, and have since bought a replacement pair from play.com (hopefully they're the genuine article - they arrived today, but I haven't been home to look at them yet). I'll be escalating the case when we get to 10 days so that I can get my money back.What was the outcome with yours?

3rd Feb 2011

Watch out for fakes on Ebay? Well I never!

3rd Feb 2011

anthropolyte

I think I've bought some Portapros from the same seller... I bought the … I think I've bought some Portapros from the same seller... I bought the blue ones, but got exactly the same response as you. I currently have a case open on eBay, and have since bought a replacement pair from play.com (hopefully they're the genuine article - they arrived today, but I haven't been home to look at them yet). I'll be escalating the case when we get to 10 days so that I can get my money back.What was the outcome with yours?

I'm sorry you got ripped off too

I had real problems filling out the dispute form (kept getting "no HTML" errors) so I'm going to have to contact ebay themselves by phone. Tried different browsers, taking out punctuation, everything. Might have just been a bug. Had a HUGE complaint too.

I'm dismayed at the amount of people who think the headphones they're getting are real. The fake pair on dealextreme are £6, so £16.99 is some markup.

Apparently the "Red Hot" pair are a limited edition only available in Scandinavian countries (for anyone interested).

Besides, the fake Red Hot pair are faulty (the seller seemed to ignore my point about that!). My mobile automatically detects headphones and starts playing. The connection cuts out so it jumps from track to track. And the sound quality is sh*t compared to the real pair, anyway.

Koss haven't got back to me either (re my broken original ones)..so I'm going to try posting them back with a covering letter. Miss my PortaPros!

A more detailed thread about fake PortaPros: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/439656/possibly-fake-portapro-help-me/30

Mine say "Light..Firm" at the Comfort Zone stickers, real ones say "Firm..Light". Though some fakes have them switched around and a bad glue job, apparently.

Also the box says ""listen to music on your iPhone". the fake it reads.. "Comfort zone TM setting for best fit"".

"The printing on the sides of the outer cups is 'shoddy. The plastics are badly finished. the metal bits are stuck with glue that is visible all over the edges. very disappointed."

Edited by: "louiselouise" 4th Feb 2011

3rd Feb 2011

thesaint

Watch out for fakes on Ebay? Well I never!

My point is..PortaPros are so CHEAP that it's amazing they get faked. I'm well aware of hooky memory cards, handbags and the like.

Let's hope the ebay seller gets a massive kick up the backside for being so unhelpful. Am I allowed to say the seller's name or is it against the rules?

PS: You get many more different varieties of PortaPros than I realised. myportapro.com/mai…f=& I LOVE the White ones (Norway only). Also a "Mellow Yellow" variety!

(On Head-fi they're saying the "Black Beauty" ones have a different sensitivity rating, which you get in the US at Best Buy. Also at Pixmania at the moment. As mentioned in my earlier post. I'll stick to the ordinary ones!). head-fi.org/for…150

Edited by: "louiselouise" 4th Feb 2011

7th Feb 2011

The seller responded on the 4th.."'Hi! First of all dont say it is fake.I said to you to send me yours headphone along with ours but you reluctant because You do not have any koss portapro before.Anyway on the other reply i have requested you to send me our one back and i will refund you but again you do not want to send the item back to us.Please grow up do not act like a 8 year old kid.Once i received the item back i will refund you.This is the rule and ebay know it and all the conversation is recorded."

Can't believe how rude they are! I can't send back my original Koss headphones as they've been sent back to Hama for repair. The fact they refuse to even read the articles says a lot. The fact remains that they tick all the "counterfeit" boxes..and they are faulty, in any case.

I suppose the seller's poor English has got our wires crossed. I wasn't refusing to return the fakes, I was refusing to send my genuine headphones AND the fakes as it's pointless and a stupid idea.

I'm going to post the fakes back, in compliance with ebay rules..hopefully it'll be done and dusted after 10 days.

Edited by: "louiselouise" 7th Feb 2011

7th Feb 2011

Note the spelling/typesetting.

[image missing]

Edited by: "louiselouise" 7th Feb 2011

7th Feb 2011

I was under the impression that if you report an item as counterfeit, you don't have to send it back to them as per Paypal's policy. Might want to get confirmation on that though as I'm not sure.

Whatever you do, leave the seller bad feedback. For every 1 person that realises they've been duped, there's 20 who don't realise and leave good feedback - making the seller seem legit.

Hypothetically speaking... I wonder if the counterfeiting industry in China were to disappear overnight, would the country be thrown into economic turmoil? I imagine so, with the amount of knock offs it churns out!

P.S. Thanks for the heads up. Have a pair off Sennheiser headphones myself and it's just not worth the risk buying from eBay. I was looking at my pair on there and some of the ones from China (so obviously fake) looked exactly the same as mine. There's usually a few tell tale signs on the packaging.. but some fakers do a really good job. Some of the Monster Beats headphones are barely different except minuscule details you could only detect from a side-by-side comparison.

tl;dr - don't buy headphones from ebay. Stick to Amazon/high street

Edited by: "oldmanhouse" 7th Feb 2011

7th Feb 2011

Ebay sent me a reply after my Resolution Centre complaint, stating that I have to return the headphones to the seller. I ticked the "counterfeit" option.

It does seem unfair that I have to pay Recorded Delivery to return an item which is obviously not the real deal.

Part of a more recent reply now says: "If the item is unopen and you feel confused you can send it back for refund."

What!! How on earth can I inspect headphones, test them, without opening the box? Methinks the bad English could well be an excuse for being ignorant and not paying up. Why do some sellers make life so difficult?

I don't think I can leave Negative feedback until the case is closed, I'm sure I was told that ages ago, though I'm going to squeeze as much information in mine as I can The seller's store is currently 99.6%, and 1000+ sales, quite alarming.

As for WHERE to get real headphones, on head-fi someone insists they got fake PortaPros from Play.com, who I've never had a problem with. My original Koss 'phones were from Amazon.co.uk two years ago, so perhaps Amazon is the way to go.

Edited by: "louiselouise" 7th Feb 2011

7th Feb 2011

unless you can prove its counterfeit then you cant really do much

buy from a reputable seller or retail store in future, most chinese sellers will sell fakes, or reject items

although not all

7th Feb 2011

casparwhite

unless you can prove its counterfeit then you cant really do muchbuy from … unless you can prove its counterfeit then you cant really do muchbuy from a reputable seller or retail store in future, most chinese sellers will sell fakes, or reject itemsalthough not all

I had a long list outlining different points and linked to articles supporting my opinion I was sold a counterfeit, so unsure what you mean by "proof"? The seller absolutely refused to read the articles, as mentioned earlier. Call me cynical but the seller is playing the "Hear No Evil, See No Evil" game.

Aside from the item being fake, it is also FAULTY (poor connection at the plug) which would mean I don't have to pay return postage?

I'm assuming here that ebay policy is to make everyone pay to return the item, as from a customer standpoint, there's not much more I can do.

As for advising I use a reputable seller, thank you, but I've already shared my thoughts about that too. Perhaps you haven't read this thread properly. (_;)

Edited by: "louiselouise" 7th Feb 2011

7th Feb 2011

louiselouise

I had a long list outlining different points and linked to articles … I had a long list outlining different points and linked to articles supporting my opinion I was sold a counterfeit, so unsure what you mean by "proof"? The seller absolutely refused to read the articles, as mentioned earlier. Call me cynical but the seller is playing the "Hear No Evil, See No Evil" game.I'm assuming here that ebay policy is to make everyone return the item, as from a customer standpoint, there's not much more I can do.

some articles isnt exactly proof.......you need a report from an independent engineer or such like

7th Feb 2011

casparwhite

some articles isnt exactly proof.......you need a report from an … some articles isnt exactly proof.......you need a report from an independent engineer or such like

Oh please! Come on! Who is going to rope in an independent engineer for £16.99 headphones from ebay! This seller knows exactly what's going on, and so do ebay.

7th Feb 2011

louiselouise

Oh please! Come on! Who is going to rope in an independent engineer for … Oh please! Come on! Who is going to rope in an independent engineer for £16.99 headphones from ebay! This seller knows exactly what's going on, and so do ebay.

im only telling you how it is, thems the rules and requirements of paypal.

you cant just go around accusing people of selling fakes and getting refunds and not sending the items back without independent proof.

can you see why?

7th Feb 2011

The picture I posted earlier in the thread is EXACTLY what I got through the post, complete with "persinal" (sic) and "p rotective" (sic) on the packaging. Do you really think Koss official products look like that? That's a red flag right away.

7th Feb 2011

louiselouise

The picture I posted earlier in the thread is EXACTLY what I got through … The picture I posted earlier in the thread is EXACTLY what I got through the post, complete with "persinal" (sic) and "p rotective" (sic) on the packaging. Do you really think Koss official products look like that? That's a red flag right away.

you are missing the point.....

im not arguing over the authenticity of the item, i really dont care tbh im just letting you know the process that is required by paypal

7th Feb 2011

louiselouise

Okay..as you're so clued up on paypal/ebay rules..what is the procedure … Okay..as you're so clued up on paypal/ebay rules..what is the procedure for counterfeit items that are faulty?You certainly have the tone of someone who"doesn't care", unfortunately. I'm glad to say some HUKD members have thanked me for the warnings on this thread.Head-fi forums are very well respected and it's not one or two unconvincing anecdotes from people with an axe to grind; the accounts are very detailed. I'd trust many members on there every bit as much as an independent engineer.

i dont quite get what you are inferring from this comment but ive advised you on the correct process/procedure required by paypal

Edited by moderator: "personal" 7th Feb 2011

7th Feb 2011

I came on here to warn and to help others..and I make no apologies for that. Thanks again for your opinions.

7th Feb 2011

louiselouise

I came on here to warn and to help others..and I make no apologies for … I came on here to warn and to help others..and I make no apologies for that. Thanks again for your opinions.

you seem extremely confused i have posted no opinions, just advised you on paypals policy regarding counterfeits

7th Feb 2011

Sigh..but what about faulty goods which are also counterfeit? The rules are different for that.

Your opinion was about my attitude, and I was pointing out my reasons for posting this thread! Not confused in the slightest. I agree that paypal/ebay need independent verification, but there must be other methods of doing so.

10th Feb 2011

For reference, I escalated my case against this seller yesterday; eBay took about two minutes to give me a full refund, and did not ask me to return the item to the seller. Good result.Worth pursuing.

10th Feb 2011

Gah, I sent mine back Recorded yesterday. I emailed the seller, telling him he's to refund my postage as they're also faulty, as well as suspected counterfeit (pigs might fly, probably)..

Glad you got your money back

Edited by: "louiselouise" 10th Feb 2011

11th Feb 2011

Make sure to leave appropriate feedback, and also report the listing as counterfeit goods.

21st Feb 2011

Got a refund today after escalating the dispute. A little miffed I didn't get the Recorded Delivery money back, but at least I got a fair outcome.

Shame that nearly 130 people think they're real-you can get genuine Portas from Amazon for a pound more!

Edited by: "louiselouise" 22nd Feb 2011

23rd Feb 2011

Also, result, got new Koss PortaPros via their Lifetime Warranty (I sat on the wire and pulled the right side clean out). Their Warranty ROCKS

Gahhh, I bought some the other day, gonna try to cancel. I better get a refund.

10th Nov 2012

Op's been telling you for nearly 2 years

Y u no listen?!?!?

10th Nov 2012

Sad to see people are still getting caught out. Seems that even if the genuine item is cheap, someone will still try to copy it!

Reviews of the DealExtreme PortaPro fakes, listed with the tell-tale "Designer's" euphemism they use for copies. https://75.126.181.176/feedbacks/BrowseReviews.dx/sku.39851

Edited by: "louiselouise" 10th Nov 2012

16th Nov 2012

sancho1983

Op's been telling you for nearly 2 years Y u no listen?!?!?

Because I had no idea this thread existed until now?Sent the seller 2 emails asking for a refund and he dispatched anyway. Gonna take it up with Ebay when it arrives. I better not be expected to pay postage to send it all the f***ing way to America.

16th Nov 2012

reejor04

Because I had no idea this thread existed until now?Sent the seller 2 … Because I had no idea this thread existed until now?Sent the seller 2 emails asking for a refund and he dispatched anyway. Gonna take it up with Ebay when it arrives. I better not be expected to pay postage to send it all the f***ing way to America.

why on earth would you buy 20quid headphones from america? (or more than 20quid if not the blue - they are on amazon for 30-40quid for white/black/red)is it the 15.99 inc postage from america red ones from a seller with no feedback.....? oO

buying limited editions is definitely more likely to give you a fake than normal ones though surely the red ones cost more than the blue anyway as limited wouldn't be discounted so quickly/permanently.